Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have been slow, to say the last, over the last week but with a new stock drop at ShopTo in the UK this morning and Walmart re-listing the console things could be revving up for another round. While US retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop have all been quiet since that first wave of stock on April 24 (save for a few smaller drops), things are still ticking along if you know where to look.
You'll need to be in the right place at the right time to secure yourself a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order at this stage. I've been tracking hard-to-find stock of major releases for over five years now, including the incredibly sparse launches of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and I'm confident we'll see more stock land on the shelves before the June 5 launch date.
I know which retailers are most likely to offer second waves of Nintendo Switch 2 stock, and the tips and tricks you need in your arsenal to make the most of each drop. I'm rounding up all the latest pre-order updates here, as well as everything I've learned about the stock-hunting game over the years.
Quick Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order links
- Walmart: Check for stock
- GameStop: Check for stock
- Best Buy: Check for stock
- Target: Check for stock
- Amazon: No product page yet
- Nintendo: Register for invitation
- Newegg: Listing pages live
UK
- Amazon: Check stock
- The Game Collection: Check stock
- ShopTo: Check stock
- Ebuyer: Check for stock
- EE: Check for stock
- Argos: Check for stock
- Very: Check for stock
- Game: Check stock
- Currys: Check for stock
- Nintendo: Check for stock
I started tracking high-demand pre-orders back when the PS5 and Xbox Series X first launched and have covered everything from the PS Portal to 30th Anniversary limited edition runs since then. I know which retailers to watch for new stock drops, when those restocks are likely to happen, and how to make sure you finish up with a console in your hands on day one.
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the US
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the UK
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will be available this week
We know for a fact that some Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders will be available this week in the US. That's because Ninty's own store will open its doors to those with email invites on May 8. If you haven't already, you'll want to register your details with the My Nintendo Store for this one, but you must meet a set of criteria to be in with a shot at an invite.
In the US, you'll need to be a Nintendo Account holder over 18 years of age, with priority being given to those with a minimum of 12 months on an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and a minimum of 50 hours played since April 2.
Nintendo has, unfortunately, also stated that launch day delivery is not guaranteed for those who pre-order Switch 2 via its own site. However, the brand has also recently explained that demand in Japan has far exceeded supply so things could be tight wherever you pre-order.
Will other retailers launch more Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders before release day?
If you don't want to leave your fate in the hands of Nintendo, it's worth checking out some other retailers as well. I would be surprised if we didn't see any more waves of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders at stores like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop before that June 5 launch day. We've still got a month to go before the handheld officially drops, and considering how frequently I saw new waves of PS5 and Xbox Series X stock drop in between pre-order and release I'm expecting more to arrive before then.
We could be in for one more major drop, as retailers in both the US and UK receive new allocations from Ninty itself. That could be after the brand launches its own email invites on May 8, so stay tuned towards the tail end of the week.
Live updates
Where to pre-order Donkey Kong Bananza
Donkey Kong Bananza isn't a launch title, in fact it's slated for a July 17 release. However, it is one of the more popular Nintendo Switch 2 games available for pre-order right now. The 3D platformer is widely available in the US and UK for $69.99 / £64.99, though I'd recommend opting for Walmart (for the slightly lower price) or Very (for the speedy delivery).
Donkey Kong Bananza | $69 at Walmart
Donkey Kong Bananza | £64.99 at Very
Best Buy still has Nintendo Switch 2 accessories for pre-order
While Walmart's Nintendo Switch 2 accessories remain unavailable, Best Buy still has a bunch on the shelves. Between the Pro Controller and Camera, the store even has officially licensed memory cards on the shelves. While some smaller gadgets are unavailable, you're covered for all the main ones here.
View all Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Best Buy
Will Nintendo release more pre-orders in the UK this week?
With US invites set to go out later this week, many may be wondering if Ninty will take the opportunity to send more emails to its UK stock-hunters. Put simply, I'd be surprised if it did.
We've seen emails in different regions landing at different times throughout the pre-order process, and they haven't affected UK stock levels at all. Not only that, but with supply seemingly not meeting demand right now, it's unlikely Nintendo UK is sitting on additional unsold stock.
We could see more Switch 2 pre-orders after May 8
While things have been quiet recently, I'm still fully expecting another round of Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders to hit before that June 5 launch date. I'm putting my bet on either later this week or at the start of next week. Either way, it will likely be after Ninty pushes its own stock on May 8.
If retailers are going to get another allocation of handhelds, it will be after Nintendo has sold its own. I don't know whether stores will be looking for another wave right when those email invites are being sent out or if they're still waiting for more handhelds from the brand itself, but things could move fast once Ninty's out of the picture.
Reminder: Nintendo's own pre-orders will go live this week
Nintendo will send its own invites out on May 8, which means there's another chance at Switch 2 pre-orders just two days away. You'll need to be a Nintendo Account holder to be in with a shot here, and priority will be given to those who have had a Switch Online membership for more than 12 months (and it's currently active now) with over 50 total gameplay hours logged.
ShopTo is out of stock
That Nintendo Switch 2 bundle held out for around half an hour at ShopTo, but it's now fully out of stock. I'd keep in touch with this retailer, it's obviously drip-feeding its supplies over a longer period of time and you'll want to be in position when the next bundle arrives. However, Amazon has also been running its own ad-hoc drops over the last week as well.
Walmart has re-listed the Nintendo Switch 2
Things got a bit hairy last week, when Walmart removed the Nintendo Switch 2 from its listings completely. Thankfully, the handheld is back in business now, with both the Mario Kart bundle and solo handheld listed on the site. Stock isn't available right now, but it's a start at least.
ShopTo has Nintendo Switch 2 in stock
ShopTo has woken us all up after a sleep Bank Holiday, with a new round of Nintendo Switch 2 bundles on the shelves. You'll find the Stealth Premium Travel Kit and the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera included in this bundle, alongside the handheld itself, though there's no Mario Kart World available.
You're paying £465.85 in total here, which checks out value-wise.
Nintendo Switch 2 | Stealth Premium Travel Kit | Nintendo Switch 2 Camera | £465.85 at ShopTo
